Insecticide and insectifuge



Patented May 8, 1934 UNI D STATES 1,957,429 msncrrcmn m msnc'nr'ocn Elmer Wade Adams, Hammond, Ind, 'aasignor to StandardOil Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Indiana No Drawing. Application May 4, 1931, Serial No. 535,072.

9 \Illnims- (CL 167-24) This invention relates to insecticides and in sectifuges and particularly to a composition tfit exhibits insecticidal and insectifugal prope es.

5. The object of this invention is to produce a composition of matter that is non-injuriousto domestic animals but produces a pronounced toxic and repellent effect upon insect pests. A further object is to produce a composition of mat- 10 ter which comprises an ingredient that produces a quick eifect upon insects and other ingredients that supply the necessary lethal toxicity.

My new composition comprises a mixture of dialkyl phthalates and the oil soluble extract obtamed from pyrethrum flowers. The above substances are dissolved in a suitable vehicle capable of being sprayed upon animals. The vehicle employed is usually the oil used in extracting the pyrethrum flowers. when spraying upon domestic animals, such as cows or horses, it will provide substantially complete freedom fromj flies and insect pests, and at the most of the insects affected.

The process for making thepreferred composition may be fully understood from the follow same time kill ing description of an illustrative embodiment thereof:

33 Example,

The pyrethrum extract solution is prepared by adding 200 gallons of pale mineral oil (viscosity from 80 to 85 seconds Saybolt at 100 F.) at 35 125 F. to 100 pounds of pyrethrum flowers. The pyrethrum flowers are allowed to soak in the oil at room temperature from five to ten days. The

mass is stirred at intervals to prevent stratiilcation of the oil and flowers.

completed, the oil is drained orflltered from the pyrethrum flowers and is ready to be mixed with a small quantity of dialkyl phthalates. To this solution is added 2% by volume of di-n-butyl phthalate.

Other pale mineraloils having a viscosity between and 100. seconds Saybolt may be used to prepare the pyrethrum extract solution. or used as a vehicle for the pyrethrum extract and dialh l phthalntes. Also ketones, alcohols and 50 other organic solvents may be used to prepare the pyrethmm extract. For example. acetone, ethyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol are useful organic solvents. Also various proportions of phthalates and dialkyl phthalates, up to 6-per-' 5 icent by volume, may be used without departing After the soaking is from the scope of the invention. Phthalates 'ot the general formula exposed for fifteen minutes and then removed to fresh air for one hour. The percentage of flies knocked down in ten minutes was recorded for the purpose of showing the relative knockdown or paralyzing effect of the materials.

Percentage of flies P a mi tit-it? as? expo- Substances I to f 10 mlns. 15 mins. air for one hour 35 1. 100% dibutyl phthalate. 100 100 33 i 2. The oil' extract solut on ogotaineddsby extracting n u 0 ny ethm I flowers with 200 gallons ofpaleoil. (Scoexnmplo. 80 y 92 15 3. Pyrethrumextractsolutlon with 2% .ol di-n-butyl phthnlate. (See example.) 100 It!) 2 It will be observedQirom the above table that v95 agent, but when the flies are exposed to fresh air a large percentage will recover. Also, the pyrethrum extract solution does not kill a large percentage of flies aflected. By combining a small quantity of the phthalates'with the pyrethrum extract, as shown in item 3 of the abovethe phthalates act as a knock-down or r 'table, I can produce an insecticide that will kill substantially all of the flies affected. The result 1 is explainable on the theory that the phthalates 5 veryquickly weaken the insects and knock them to the floor, thereby enabling and assisting the active ingredients'ofthe pyrethrum flo wers to produce their lethal toxic ellect.

A solution of mineral oil andsmall quantities of dialkyl phthalates is unsatisfactory for producing a toxic eflect upon insect pests.

It should be appreciatedthat by combining a small amount of dialkyl phthalates, an insect repeilant, with pyrethrum extract, I can produce a composition of matter that exhibits excellent toxic properties and does not produce dermatitis. Various changes may be made in the proportion and strength of solutions used without departing from the spirit of the invention as described herein.

I claim: 1. A new composition of matter, comprising pyrethrum flower extract and an alkyl phthalate. 2. An insecticide and insectiiuge, comprising the oil soluble extract from pyrethrum flowers and a dialkyl phthalate dissolved in a pale mineral oil.

' .3. An insecticide and insectifuge, comprising the oil extract solution from pyrethrum flowers and a small proportion of a dialkyl phthalate of the following formula:

coon

R represents an alkyl to flve carbon atoms.

4. An insecticide and insectifuge, comprising the oil soluble extract from pyrethrum flowers and a small proportion of di-n-butyl phthalate.

5. An insecticide and insectifuge, comprising the oil solubleextract from pyrethrum flowers and a small proportion of dibutyl phthalate dissolved in a mineral oil.

6. An insecticide and insectifuge, comprising group containingirom one the oil soluble extract from pyrethrum flowers ELMER WADE ADAMS.

pyrethrum flowers 

